Gambling in New Zealand runs under a state monopoly. The outdated regulation from 2003 fails to create any excitement for local players since it restricts them to only 2 operators they can use to gamble online. As a result, Kiwis prefer overseas sites for their game, with many of them picking on a new exciting trend.
Using a Bitcoin casino, gamblers in New Zealand can now gain access to 5,000+ pokies from top studios and boost their deposit with hefty welcome bonuses and promotions, without giving up speed or safety. Keep reading as we will go through the most legit sites you can sign up to and all the important information you need to know before doing so.
Although crypto-friendly sites are not prohibited by the current regulations, it doesn’t mean you should jump on the first one that pops up. To avoid finding a bad apple, we curated a list of the best online casinos in New Zealand that accept cryptocurrencies as payments in the following table. Moreover, using the sorting features, finding the one that matches your preferences becomes effortless.
In 2003 the government passed the Gambling Act that put a halt on the growth of gambling and set boundaries for the new era of the sector amidst the dawn of the internet. It also created the Gambling Commission, which is responsible for regulating casinos besides enforcing the legislation. Sports betting and horse racing are regulated by the New Zealand Racing Board.
Under this bill, it is virtually impossible for brands to obtain an NZ license. Thus, there are no online sites for locals to gamble at, except for the two state-controlled ones, Lotto and TAB. This is not a problem, though, considering joining an offshore brand is allowed for citizens. That’s the choice for the majority of them, since the plethora of options, compared to the local ones, is simply unparalleled.
Given that crypto regulation is non-existent, it’s no wonder why crypto gambling is on the rise in New Zealand. Thousands of pokies with no cooldown spins and bonus buys, live tables with large betting limits and instant withdrawals without questions from the bank are only a few of the benefits players who choose crypto casinos in NZ enjoy. If you want to join the fun, see some of the trending brands by category below.
Trending Brands in New Zealand
No of Cryptogambling Sites
5
Top Site
Anonymous gambling sites
4
Most Secure
Provably fair casinos
2
Most Games
Instant Withdrawal Sites
5
Fastest Payout
Stablecoin gambling sites
5
Most Networks
Keep these tips in mind when looking for a new crypto gambling site. With so many around, it is important to do proper research before registering. This ensures you get both a legitimate brand and one that suits you best.
New Zealand crypto gambling facts
1
The New Zealand Dollar is the national currency, and some gambling sites accepting crypto will allow you to display your balance in it for easier bet sizing and avoiding confusion with cryptocurrencies.
2
You must be at least 20 years of age to enter a land casino in NZ and 18 for an online one.
3
Bitcoin is the most popular coin among Kiwi holders and a standard in every crypto casino.
4
In-game crypto wallets allow you to manage your funds better and deposit/withdraw without paying extra fees. Prefer brands that have them in their banking section.
5
Buy Crypto with Card services are a great alternative, but they have bigger transaction fees, which might affect your bankroll.
NZ Betting Sites with Crypto
New Zealand’s love for sports can be seen in betting, which has been a favourite pastime of Kiwis for decades. Rugby and basketball are the two most popular sports and the first choice of bettors. That’s why we compiled the top NZ betting sites that come with hundreds of markets for the NZRL and the NBL, as well as regular Free Bets and multiple cryptos to use for your payments. Check them out below.
Esports are recognised in New Zealand and even have their own national federation. With crypto and esports betting going hand in hand, it only makes sense for many gamblers to wager on them. Dota2, COD, League of Legends, Valorant, Rainbow Six and Rocket League are some of the games you will find on New Zealand betting sites, with markets, including Map Asian Handicaps and even game specials, as well as Livestreaming.
Do crypto bookies offer Rugby?
Rugby is undoubtedly the top sport in New Zealand and no doubt why it is the most preferred by bettors. Crypto sportsbooks offer hundreds of markets for the NRL, such as Multiple Handicaps, Draw No Bet, Winning Margin and the classic WDW markets, in odds that reach up to 95% and have nothing to envy from traditional online bookies. Lastly, when the international competitions commence, the nation’s favourite All Blacks team also has a plethora of markets on crypto bookies.
Finding a crypto casino or sportsbook is only the first step. After covering everything about both of them, you have probably found one or even multiple new online casinos in NZ you can sign up to. The next step is depositing into them with cryptocurrencies and this is what we will cover next.
Before we do, though, it would be wise to mention the best crypto exchanges someone can use in New Zealand to purchase his crypto gambling bankroll. Binance and Coinbase are two top exchanges overseas, while Swyftx is an NZ-based one. Pick one of the three and you’re good to go.
1
Start an account at a crypto exchange. Fund it via debit card, bank transfer or any other local option. Acquire the cryptocurrency that you are going to use as a gambling bankroll.
2
If you are not in a hurry, limit orders hold fewer fees than market orders. Sometimes, it is better to acquire the proprietary coin of the exchange first, as trading pairs with them cost less.
3
Transfer the cryptocurrency amount to your private wallet. Never make direct transactions between crypto exchanges & crypto gambling sites. Crypto exchanges may freeze such accounts.
4
Head over to the gambling site’s cashier section. Click on the relevant crypto method. The wallet’s address will appear. Copy the address and paste it into your wallet’s send function. QR code scans are commonly available too.
5
If a brand does not support crypto-only wallets, watch out for the exchange rate. Any spread above 1% of the current market rate is too much.
6
After a few seconds or minutes, your deposit will settle. This depends on the cryptocurrency and the number of block confirmations required by the operator.
After setting up, it’s time to hit the pokies and place your bets. If you win large at your betslips or a slot erupts on you, cashing out your winnings is a must. And this leads us to the next not-so-fun topic, taxes.
Crypto Tax NZ & Gambling - What to know
It is good to mention of few basic pieces of info before we dive into crypto-specific details*. First of all, winnings from gambling are tax-free in New Zealand, whether that is online locally or offshore, which is sweet. With cryptos involved, though, things get a bit more complicated.
Currently, cryptocurrencies are regulated via laws about other financial products and securities, and no dedicated legislation is in place yet. This means that winnings from gambling using crypto are also absent from the NZ law, which creates a window for interpretation.
Since buying and holding cryptocurrencies is not taxable, you can choose to keep your winnings in your wallets and not have to pay anything. If you want to take the safe road, declaring your crypto holdings and profits will be met with a progressive Income Tax starting from 10.5% and reaching up to 39%.
Finally, even though the IRD can contact crypto exchanges and get information about your transactions, there have been no reported cases regarding holdings from crypto gambling winnings. Nonetheless, contacting a local tax expert would be recommended if getting a hold of the current legislation is your main goal.
Crypto Gambling in Oceania
It’s not only New Zealand that has seen a rise in gambling with cryptocurrencies because of unfavourable local regulations for players. Crypto casinos in Australia helped NZ neighbours to overcome similar outdated legislation and access top-notch pokies online. We can even see applications in more extreme cases. For example, Indonesian crypto gambling sites allow locals to escape legal repercussions and enjoy their sessions without worries, thanks to the anonymity cryptocurrencies provide.
*Remember, this is meant to be a general overview of the current fiscal situation. Contact a tax professional for your financial inquiries, as errors may lead to significant losses & potential fines. We are not financial advisors.
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Our final verdict on Bitcoin casinos in New Zealand
Our final verdict on Bitcoin casinos in New Zealand
At the moment, the landscape around online gambling works in favour of local players due to the dated regulation. The government is not very fond of letting revenue leave the country, though, and there are thoughts about passing new laws on the matter. This means more restrictions are coming.
Bitcoin casinos are the supreme choice in NZ since the increased anonymity cryptocurrencies provide will alleviate a lot of future pain from extensive vetting processes and bank troubles. Furthermore, they offer all the markets you will ever need for local sports leagues in competitive odds and endless pokies to choose from, so you don’t want to miss out.
FAQs
Most crypto casinos nowadays are licensed in one or more countries and are completely safe. Sadly, there are still plenty of scammy crypto-friendly operators out there and that’s why you should always do your research before registering to a new site. Check our recommendations for the most legit casinos with crypto in NZ.
Most modern Bitcoin casinos don’t have any minimum deposit, thanks to direct on-chain transactions. You just enter the amount you want and start playing. Nonetheless, some of them use third-party services for crypto payments and in these sites, the minimum deposit normally starts from NZ$30.
Bitcoin. It was the first crypto that sites started to accept as a payment method and created a new market of crypto-only casinos. Its slower transaction times, though, brought on more coins like ETH, DOGE, LTC and BCH that share the same characteristics but almost instant transactions.
Cryptocurrencies are legal in New Zealand but they are not seen as real money. You can still buy and sell them however you like, though, which makes them perfect for use in crypto casinos and sportsbooks.
There are many great options to choose from in New Zealand. If you want to go local, Swyftx is a solid alternative. If you prefer more renowned companies, Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken are the top options for Kiwis.
In New Zealand, you will have to pay income tax for your cryptocurrencies. The rate is progressive and starts from 10.5% and reaches 39%.